CONTRACTOR IN S. COUNTY PROBE MAKES PLEA DEAL

Another contractor pleaded out Thursday in the district attorney’s probe of South County construction contracts awarded under voter-approved bond programs at Southwestern College and Sweetwater schools.

Rene Flores, president of Seville Group Inc., sent his lawyer to enter a plea of no contest Thursday to misdemeanor charges of aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor — stemming from the failure of public officials to disclose information on state forms about meals he bought them.

Flores declared via his attorney that the meals, entertainment and gifts he provided were made at the request of public officials at Sweetwater schools including former Superintendent Jesus Gandara.

“At no time did the elected board members or superintendent reimburse me for the donations, meals, tickets or gifts,” a Flores statement said.

Flores’ plea bargain is contingent on him testifying in court against the Sweetwater defendants. Flores’ company oversaw $644 million in construction bond money. He did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Gandara, along with Sweetwater trustees Arlie Ricasa and Pearl Quiñones and former board member Greg Sandoval, have denied felony charges that they accepted meals and other gifts and then failed to report them.

Quiñones’ criminal defense attorney, Marc Carlos, said his client is unshaken by the latest development.

“We’re going to trial. We’re going to fight it. She’s not guilty. She hasn’t done anything, so she’s going to continue running for political office and living her life as normal,” Carlos said Thursday.

“The financial burden of her defending herself against these allegations is overwhelming at times, but she’s sticking to her guns.”

Sweetwater schools suspended the services of Seville on Jan. 4. Southwestern has also suspended contracts with three firms named in prosecutor affidavits.